Protective vehicle cover

ABSTRACT

A removable protective vehicle cover for motorcycles and similarly designed vehicles for protecting the upper surface of the vehicle from the elements. A cover sheet component protects vehicle structures disposed rearward of the handlebars and incorporates two front mounting elements for releasably receiving forward structures of the vehicle. The cover sheet is deployed in a generally horizontal plane and provides minimal wind resistance to any such lateral forces. An optional cover module protects vehicle components disposed forward of the handlebars and may be releasably attached to the front edge of the cover sheet. A storage pouch may be integrally incorporated with the vehicle cover to allow for compact storage and portability of the vehicle cover when not in use.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to protective vehicle covers,more specifically, the present invention relates to a lightweightprotective covering for motorcycles and motorcycle-like vehicle.

2. Background Art

The deteriorating effects of direct sunlight and water are well knownand much time, effort, and money has been spent protecting vehicles andother items from these effects. The detrimental effects commonly includefading, blistering, and cracking. The largest impact from these effectsis often felt by the uppermost horizontal surfaces of vehicles.

Vehicles such as motorcycles, bicycles, motor scooters, all terrainvehicles, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, and similarly designedvehicles are particularly susceptible to these effects since, by design,the vehicles are used in outdoor conditions and have no protectivebodies or coverings inherently incorporated in their design. Due totheir manner of use, such vehicles are typically exposed to atmosphericelements for extended periods of time.

More specifically, vehicle owners such as motorcyclists often desire toprotect their vehicles from damage that can be caused by exposure torain and, particularly, by exposure to the sun. Commercially availablecovers are customarily made of material such as vinyl or canvas which isessentially non-stretchable in character. Such covers are normallyrelatively large and cumbersome, typically making them non-portable fora motorcyclist.

Such covers are usually draped over the motorcycle and are relativelyloose fitting, customarily being secured by ties or the like. In anyevent, such devices, being very loosely fit to the motorcycle, do notafford adequate protection from the elements. This situation isaggravated by virtue of the fact that motorcycles come in various sizesand configurations, while the conventional covers do not.

In addition, motorcycle riders utilize their motorcycles for manypurposes, including pleasure trips, running errands, and riding to andfrom work. It is therefore desirable that the seat and fuel tank be keptfree of dust, dirt, and moisture which may accumulate when themotorcycle is parked, so as not to soil the rider's clothes. In hotclimates, the black vinyl material of which motorcycle seats aretypically composed may become very hot, causing considerable discomfortto the rider when first mounting the motorcycle. In the most extremecases, the heat may even cause bums. Such heat further serves toseriously degrade the vinyl material. Many motorcycle riders also takepride in the overall appearance of their motorcycle, especially in thecleanliness and shininess of the fuel tank. The intense sunlight andhigh temperatures that characterize the motorcycle riding season,rapidly oxidizes the paint or lacquer finish of motorcycle fuel tanks,providing a degraded appearance. Some examples of motorcycle coveringsand protectors that have been granted patents include the following:

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,659,872, Warner discloses a foldable cover structurethat completely covers a motorcycle. The cover has front and rearopenings with fasteners and a top opening for the handlebars, withanother covering portion that fastens over the top opening.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,884,523, Allen describes another protective cover fora motorcycle that stores within the seat of the cycle. The coverencloses the entire motorcycle, with no openings, and must be stuffedback into the seat for storage and riding of the motorcycle.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,171,145, Pearson, Sr. describes a retractableprotective covering which may be unrolled from a spring loaded spoolmounted in a housing attached to a motorcycle behind the motorcycle seatto cover the seat and the tank of the motorcycle. The covering has along, rectangular top panel formed of heavy waterproof material, and twolong, narrow upper side panels and two long, narrow lower side panels,with an upper and lower side panel on each side of the top panel. A pairof V-shaped bars, fastened to opposite sides of the housing, serves asguides in unfolding the upper and lower panels as the protective coveris extended. The covering is preferably fabricated from a nylon fabric.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,084, Gallagher discloses a protective cover for amotorcycle that is pentagonal in shape. The cover has an elastic curvededge that fits the rear seat portion, a pair of elastic bands forengaging the foot posts, and a set of Velcro strips for joining thecover about the cycle frame between the engine and the front wheel. Thecover is described as fabricated from a lightweight, flexible materialsuch as “ripstop” nylon, polyester fabric or other materials whichresist the effects of weather.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,560, Wasden shows a flexible protective bicyclecover that fits over the seat, crossbar, handlebars and the front forkof a bicycle. The covering is a contour fitted covering of stretchablematerial that provides aerodynamic features with little or no protectionof the bicycle it is covering.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,139 by Cseri discloses a stretchable cover forproviding a tight aerodynamic fit on the cycle to protect against theelements while the cycle is at rest or being transported. The cover isstretched over the front structure, the cycle frame and seat, attachedto the front structure and seat and secured to the foot pegs to retainthe cover on the cycle. Openings are provided in the cover for any sidemirrors. The stretchable fabric material can be a nylon spandex fabric,known as Spandura®, which is commercially available.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,288, Spirk shows a portable protective cover fora bicycle adapted to be connected to the handlebars and seat of abicycle. The protective cover is made of waterproof or water resistantmaterials to protect various bicycle components from the elements. Theprotective cover includes an elastic material design to secure theprotective cover to the bicycle. The protective cover can include anintegrated storage pouch to conveniently and compactly store theprotective covering when not in use.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,009, Sack et al. describe a removable sun shadefor motorcycles that includes a fabric sheet for extension over theupper part of the motorcycle, forming an air-circulating region betweenthe motorcycle and the sheet. The sheet has a number of attachmentmembers around its edge for securing the sheet to various parts of themotorcycle to hold the sheet in place. A storage pouch is attached tothe sheet for reversible attachment to the motorcycle at variouslocations as most suitable for each model. The material of the fabricsheet is described as “weather resistant with breathability”.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,516,884, Henry discloses a sunscreen protector formotorcycles that covers the seat and fuel tank area to protect thesecomponents from the deteriorating effects of sunlight. The protectorshade includes a rectangular sheet of tightly woven nylon/lycraelastomeric material sized to cover only the motorcycle seat and fueltank. Four elastic strap members and a plurality of hook loop memberswith attached, coated J-hook members are employed for attachment toselected attachment points on the motorcycle.

Thus, there is an unmet need for a protective vehicle cover that coversthe seat and fuel tank regions of the vehicle and which can be employedfor a large variety of vehicle designs and sizes. The cover also needsto be easily attached to and detached from the vehicle while being smallenough for convenient storage.

Additionally, many conventional protective covers envelope the entiretyof the vehicle and are more suitable for long term storage. Everyday useof such covers requires more preparation by the user and subjects thevehicle to cross winds that may overturn the vehicle causing significantdamage. Therefore, it is a purpose of this invention to provide a coverthat protects the vehicle from detrimental environmental factors, whilenot subjecting the vehicle to destabilizing lateral forces.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood,however, that the intention is not necessarily to limit the invention tothe particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention isto cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appendedclaims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a protective vehiclecover adapted to be releasably connected to both the handlebar regionand a structure located rear of the seat of a vehicle to protect vehiclecomponents from the elements when the vehicle is not in use.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a protectivevehicle cover having minimal vertical surfaces thereby reducing windresistance and lateral forces that may damage the vehicle.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a protectivevehicle cover with a cover sheet that lies generally in a horizontalplane and further allows air to circulate between the cover and thevehicle.

A still further aspect of the present invention is to provide aprotective vehicle cover that further includes an optional cover modulethat protects vehicle components located forward of the handle barregion of the vehicle.

In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a protectivevehicle cover, comprising a flexible cover sheet for protecting avehicle and its components disposed rearward of the handlebars, whereinthe cover sheet is weather resistant, lies generally in a horizontalplane, and has minimal vertical surfaces providing for low windresistance, two front mounting points having a releasable connection toforward structures of the vehicle, wherein the two front mounting pointsare fastened to a bottom surface of the cover sheet, and a rear mountingpoint for providing a releasable attachment to a rear structure of thevehicle.

The scope of the present invention may further include a cover modulefor protecting vehicle components disposed forward of the handlebarswherein a rear edge of the cover module is releasably attachable to thefront edge of the cover sheet and both the cover sheet and the covermodule are independently functional when not releasably attached.

Further, the present invention may incorporate an integrated storagepouch for retaining the vehicle cover when not in use. The integratedstorage pouch may preferably be disposed at the midpoint along the rearedge of the cover sheet.

The above and other aspects of the present invention will become morereadily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the followingdetailed description of the preferred form of the present invention whentaken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of a protective cover of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 depicts a bottom view of the protective cover depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of the rear edge of the cover sheet of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a bottom view of the rear edge of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts the protective cover of the present invention folded intoa compact storage pouch.

FIG. 6 depicts an attachment means between the cover sheet and the covermodule of the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a top view of protective cover of the present inventionfurther including a motorcycle shown in phantom for illustrativepurposes.

FIG. 8 depicts a left side view of a protective cover of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 depicts a right side view of a protective cover of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the drawings are for the purposeof illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only and not forthe purpose of limiting the same, in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7-9, there is showna protective vehicle cover 10.

The protective vehicle cover 10 is primarily intended to shield theupper portions of a vehicle from the detrimental effects of sun, heat,precipitation, and other elements. Accordingly, the vehicle cover 10 ispreferably composed of a lightweight weather resistant material that maybe resistant to sun, ultraviolet rays, various forms of precipitation,and/or any other known causes of weathering. The vehicle cover 10material may further possess characteristics of breathability to permitair circulation there through. Suitable materials may include, but arenot limited to, nylon, ripstop nylon, vinyl materials, polyester fabricsand other materials known within the art. In use, the vehicle sheet 10may protect the handlebars, hand grips (HG), hand brakes, headlight (H),instrument panel (IP), fuel tank (FT), seat (S), and other centralcomponents of the vehicle. A taut fit ensures both maximal stability andprotection for the vehicle. When the cover sheet 20 is extended over thevehicle and attached as described, a space will be formed between thecover sheet 20 and the upper portion of the vehicle permitting air tocirculate beneath the cover sheet 20. Further, it is important that thevehicle cover 10 material be thin and pliable so that it can be readilyfolded into a package corresponding in size to one's hand (as shown inFIG. 5).

A top view and a bottom view of one embodiment of the vehicle cover aredepicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. Protective vehicle cover 10 maycomprise a flexible cover sheet 20 and an optional cover module 50 thatare each composed of a lightweight flexible material, as describedabove. Cover sheet 20 further comprises a top surface 21 and a bottomsurface 22 having a reinforced peripheral edge 23 folded upon the bottomsurface 22 and fixed thereto by a fixation means 24 thereby forming afinished peripheral edge (best shown in FIG. 2). Preferably, thefixation means 24 is embodied by stitches 24 that allow for sufficientstretching and will not break when used for their intended purpose. Thestitches 24 may comprise nylon thread or any other suitable materialsknown within the art. Additionally, the method of stitching may includebox-stitching, zig-zag stitching, or any forms of stitching known withinthe art that preferably adds strength and/or durability to a stitchedconnection. While stitching is the preferred method of reinforcing theperipheral edge 23 of the cover sheet 20, any conventional material edgereinforcing methods (e.g. adhesives, heat seal, etc.) may be employed.

The preferred overall shape of the cover sheet 20 is best described asan irregular hexagonal shape, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7. Cover sheet20 may comprise a front edge 25 that is parallel but unequal in lengthto a rear edge 26, a first parallel lateral edge 27 equal in length to asecond parallel lateral edge 28, and a first non-parallel lateral edge29 equal in length to a second non-parallel lateral edge 30. Both thefirst parallel lateral edge 27 and second parallel lateral edge 28 maybe disposed perpendicular to both the front edge 25 and the rear edge 26of the cover sheet 20.

The primary mounting points for attaching the cover sheet 20 to avehicle form a three point mounting system. The mounting points may beconstructed of materials including, but not limited to, a flexible nylonband, a web strap, a pocket, an elastic cord, line or strap, and anyother similar materials which may further incorporate beneficialfeatures such as snap-fastening means, hook and loop fasteners, buttons,various types of clips, clasps, belt means, buckles, and the like.Preferably, the primary mounting points are comprised of a cut-resistantmaterial.

The three point mounting system preferably comprises two front mountingpoints 31 and one rear mounting point 32. The two front mounting points31 are preferably disposed at or near the forward corners 33 of thecover sheet 20 and preferably attach to the hand grips (HG) of thevehicle. Alternatively, the two front mounting points 31 may attach toany other convenient forward components of the vehicle such as, but notlimited to, the handlebars, hand levers, instrument panel (IP), mirrors(M), and mirror stem (MS). The two front mounting points 31 arepreferably disposed on the bottom surface 22 of the cover sheet 20 via astitched connection, an adhesive connection, a heat seal connection, orany conventional connection means known within the art. Theconfiguration of the two front mounting points 31 may include, but isnot limited to, loop-shaped fasteners, pockets, elastic retentionstraps, and the like. A pocket mounting point may be formed by sewingextra pieces of stretchable material onto the bottom surface 22 of thecover sheet 20. Such pockets may serve to enclose the handle bars andhand levers of the vehicle. Preferably, the two front mounting points 31are of a generally looped-shaped configuration so as not to necessitatethe tying of each individual front mounting point 31 to a forwardcomponent of the vehicle, such as the hand grips HG.

The rear mounting point 32 may be disposed between the rear corners 34along the rear edge 26 of the cover sheet 20, and may be attached to thetop surface 21, bottom surface 22, or the peripheral edge 23 of thecover sheet 20. The rear mounting point 32 provides the third primarypoint of contact with a rear structure of the vehicle such as, but notlimited to, the frame, fender (F), seat (S), tire (T), tail lightassembly (TA), turn signal fixtures, and the like. The rear mountingpoint 32 may comprise a loop-shaped configuration for attachment aroundan appropriate rear structure of a vehicle, such as those enumeratedabove. This configuration may be formed in a wide variety of embodimentsincluding, but not limited to, a strap fixedly attached at both its endsto the rear edge 26, a strap fixedly attached to the rear edge 26 at oneof its ends and communicably connectable 35 to the rear edge 26 at itsopposite end, and two respective straps each having one end fixedlyattached to the rear edge 26 and each strap having a free endcommunicably connectable 35 to the free end of the other strap. Suchcommunicable connections 35 are fully releasable and may include, butare not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, snap-fastening means,buttons, various types of clips, clasps, latches, belt means, buckles,hooks, hooks and D-rings, tie off strap ends, and the like.

Additional secondary attachment members 36 may be used to supplement thethree point mounting system. As depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7-9,secondary attachment members 36 may be fixedly secured to the coversheet 20 along its lateral edges 27-30. Preferably, the secondaryattachment members 36 may be disposed at the lateral corners 37 whichare located at the intersections of a parallel lateral edge 27, 28 andthe respective non-parallel lateral edge 29, 30. Secondary attachmentmembers 36 may also be disposed along the front edge 25, front corners33, rear edge 26, and rear corners 34 of the cover sheet 20 if a moresecured attachment to the vehicle is desired. Configurations of thesecondary attachment members 36 may include, but are not limited to,loops, straps, lines or elastic cords which may further utilize hook andloop fasteners, snap-fastening means, buttons, various types of clips,clasps, latches, belt means, buckles, hooks, hooks and D-rings, and thelike to provide attachment to structures of the vehicle.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the vehicle cover 10 may further comprise anintegrated storage pouch 40. The storage pouch 40 may be integratedalong any available surface or peripheral edge 23 of the cover sheet 20.Preferably, the attachment point for the storage pouch 40 is at themidpoint of the rear edge 26 of the cover sheet 20. The pouch 40 may beconfigured in any general shape, with preferred embodiments having arectangular or square shape. The pouch 40 may be formed by overlayingtwo layers of material and fixedly fastening the two layers to eachother around their respective peripheries, leaving one edge unfastenedforming the mouth of the pouch 40. A portion of the mouth of the pouch40 may be integral with or attached to cover sheet 20, preferably alonga peripheral edge 23, so that the cover sheet 20 will remain attached tothe pouch 40 in both the stored and deployed positions. As shown in FIG.3, each adjacent material layer at the mouth of the pouch 40 furthercomprises a complimentary closure means 42a, 42b for releasably closingthe mouth of the pouch 40 when the vehicle cover 10 is deployed. Duringcover 10 deployment, the pouch 40 is empty and may be temporarily usedto store incidental items.

As depicted in FIGS. 3-5, when storage of the vehicle cover 10 isdesired the cover 10 may be compacted, rolled, or folded into a size andshape insertable within the pouch 40 via folding cover 10 over integralclosure means 42 a. With cover 10 folded over closure means 42 a andinto the pouch 40, the mouth of the storage pouch 40 may be releasablyfastened, as depicted in FIG. 5, by complimentary closure means 42 b, 42c. Complimentary closure means 42 a, 42 b, 42 c may include a widevariety of closure structures including, but not limited to, hook andloop fasteners, zippers, snaps, buttons, clasps, clips, or any othermeans known within the art. The storage pouch 40 is preferably composedof the same materials described in detail above regarding cover sheet20. Utilizing water resistant pouch material prevents liquid and othermatter from penetrating the pouch 40 and moistening or soiling theflexible cover sheet 20 stored therein. As shown in FIG. 5, protectivecover sheet 20 is collapsible in a convenient and easily transportablepouch 40 when not in use. In this manner, the protective vehicle cover10 can easily be stored in a bag, a user's pocket, or convenientlycarried by the user when the cover 10 is not in use.

As depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6-9, the present invention may furthercomprise a cover module 50 for protecting vehicle components disposedforward of the handlebars. Such a cover module 50 may overlay theinstrument panel (IP), headlight (H) and other forward vehiclecomponents, depending on the design and styling of the vehicle.Preferably, the cover module 50 may be of a substantially rectangularconfiguration having a front edge 51, a rear edge 52, and two side edges53, 54. Depending on the contours of the vehicle, the cover module 50may be relatively flat, dome-shaped, or similarly adapted to fit thespecific contours of the vehicle forward of the handlebars. A covermodule 50 constructed of stretchable material may fully conform to awide variety of vehicle components and contours. Cover module 50 may becomprised of the same materials as described for the cover sheet 20above including, but not limited to, nylon, ripstop nylon, vinylmaterials, polyester fabrics and other materials known within the art.Similarly, cover module 50 may further incorporate the same manner of areinforced peripheral edge (i.e. stitching, etc.) as described above.

As depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, the rear edge 52 of the cover module 50may be releasably attached 55 to the front edge 25 of the cover sheet20. Releasable attachment 55 comprises complimentary structures disposedon the aforementioned rear edge 52 and front edge 25 which may include awide variety of structures including, but not limited to, hook and loopfasteners, zippers, snap-fastening means, buttons, various types ofclips, clasps, latches, belt means, buckles, hooks, hooks and D-rings,and the like. Alternatively, attachment 55 may be of a fixed nature suchas, but not limited to, using stitching, adhesive, or the like.Depending on the design of the vehicle, mirror stems (MS) or otherprotruding vehicle structures may project through the point ofreleasable attachment 55. When a cover module 50 is to be used inconjunction with a cover sheet 20, the dimensions of the integratedstorage pouch 40 may be increased accordingly to accommodate the storageof both the cover module 50 and the cover sheet 20 within the pouch 40(see FIG. 5). Alternatively, an integrated pouch 40 may be disposed onany available surface of cover module 50 in instances including, but notlimited to, desired independent use and/or storage of cover sheet 20 andcover module 50.

In use, as depicted in FIGS. 7-9, the protective vehicle cover 10 may beinstalled on a vehicle by slipping the two front mounting points 31attached to the bottom surface 22 of cover sheet 20 over the hand gripsof the vehicle. Alternatively, two front mounting points 31 can beattached to the handle bars or any other convenient forward vehiclestructures. The cover sheet 20 may then be pulled or stretched rearwardalong the central axis of the vehicle (e.g. over the fuel tank (FT) andseat (S) of a motorcycle). Next the rear mounting point 32 may beattached about the rear taillight assembly (TA). Alternatively, the rearmounting point 32 may be attached to the vehicle by passing around,under, or through any other convenient rear structure of the vehicleincluding, but not limited to, the fender (F), the tire (T), the rearborder of the seat (S), the frame, and the like. As described above, therear mounting point 32 may be either a static structure or an adjustableelement that allows further tightening of the rear mounting point 32 tothe vehicle. Rear mounting point 32 may include a variety ofembodiments, with a preferred embodiment being a strap and complimentarybuckle configuration as depicted in FIGS. 7-9.

Optional secondary attachment members 36 may be employed and preferablydo not distort cover sheet 20 causing significant vertical surfaces.Secondary attachment members 36 may attach to available vehiclestructures including, but not limited to, the frame, seat (S), fuel tank(FT), foot pegs, cleat, or any other convenient point of attachment.Such attachment members 36 may include, but are not limited to, loops,straps, lines or elastic cords which may further utilize hook and loopfasteners, snap-fastening means, buttons, various types of clips,clasps, latches, belt means, buckles, hooks, hooks and D-rings, and thelike to provide attachment to structures of the vehicle.

The protective vehicle cover 10 is shown in the functional state inFIGS. 7-9. As disclosed above, an optional cover module 50 may beutilized either in conjunction with cover sheet 20 or independent ofcover sheet 20 as desired. Cover module 50 may be constructed in avariety of shapes to accommodate the wide variety of vehicle designs inthe marketplace. Cover module 50 may comprise stretchable material,wherein the module 50 may thereafter stretch and conform to an unlimitednumber of vehicle designs. When used in conjunction with a cover sheet20, the rear edge 52 of the cover module 50 and the front edge 25 of thecover sheet 20 may each incorporate respective complimentary releasableattachments 55. In this manner, the abutting edges 25, 52 of the coversheet 20 and module 50, respectively, may be joined. Releasableattachments 55 may allow for the passage of vehicle structuresincluding, but not limited to, mirrors (M) and mirror stems (MS),windshield sections, and the like (see FIGS. 8 and 9). Further, thecover module 50 may utilize attachment members 56 about the edges of themodule 50 to provide additional points of attachment to the vehicle.Attachment members 56 may be disposed on any edge of the cover module50, with attachment members 56 preferably being disposed along the frontedge 51 as depicted in FIGS. 7-9. Attachment members 56 may include, butare not limited to, loops, straps, lines or elastic cords which mayfurther utilize hook and loop fasteners, snap-fastening means, buttons,various types of clips, clasps, latches, belt means, buckles, hooks,hooks and D-rings, and the like to provide attachment to structures ofthe vehicle. If the cover module 50 is to be used independent of thecover sheet 20, the rear edge 52 of the cover module 50 may incorporateattachment members 56 instead of a releasable attachment 55.Alternatively, both releasable attachment 55 and attachment members 56may be simultaneously disposed upon the rear edge 52 of the cover module50 to allow for cover module 50 use both in conjunction with andindependent of the cover sheet 20.

The protective vehicle cover 10 is quickly and easily installed orremoved from a vehicle using the described three point attachmentsystem. It is important to appreciate that the vehicle cover 10 is notpermanently attached to the vehicle and that the cover 10 can beentirely removed and carried away from the vehicle itself. Theprotective cover 10 readily folds into a small size for easy storage andtransport. Removal of the cover 10 from a vehicle is preferablyaccomplished via the release of the rear mounting point 32 followed bythe release of the front mounting points 31, respectively. With thecover 10 disengaged from the vehicle, closure means 42 a, 42 b may bespread apart to reveal the interior of the integrated pouch 40. The usermay then fold, compact or otherwise insert the cover sheet 20 and/or thecover module 50 into the integrated pouch 40. As depicted in FIG. 5,closure means 42 b, 42 c may then be placed in communication to fullyenclose cover 10 within the integrated pouch 40.

For deployment of the cover 10, closure means 42 b, 42 c are disengagedand the integrated storage pouch 40 is opened to allow the user accessto the cover sheet 20 and/or cover module 50 therein. Once the storagepouch 40 has been opened, the protective vehicle cover 10 may beunfolded and positioned on the vehicle, as described above and depictedin FIGS. 7-9.

It will be appreciated that no attempt has been made to cover the entirevehicle. Rather, the parts which are most desirably sheltered from theelements, namely the seat (S) and fuel tank (FT) areas are protected. Inthis manner, a cover 10 having less material can be constructed.Additionally, the cover 10 of the invention is provided with theabove-described attachment means which may be simple to use, rust proofand adapted to be securely engaged to the vehicle in such a manner thatthe cover 10 cannot be readily blown from the vehicle. In this manner,less bulk is required while covering the critical features of a vehicle.Also, one can readily foresee the advantage of having a cover 10 thatcan be compacted or folded into a size and shape roughly equivalent tothe palm of one's hand. It is within the scope of the present inventionto further provide an integrated storage pouch 40 for the folded cover10 such that the entire package may be placed in one's pocket. WhileFIGS. 7-9 depict a cover sheet 20 in use with a cover module 50, each ofthese separable components may be independently deployed withoutrequiring the use of the complimenting component. In such a manner,vehicle structures disposed forward of the handlebars and vehiclestructures disposed rearward of the handlebars may be independently orconjunctively protected.

It is important to appreciate, however, that the present invention isnot permanently attached to the vehicle and can be entirely removed andcarried away from the vehicle itself. The present disclosure will affordsignificant protection for a wide variety of vehicle, as well asaccomplish the other aspects of the invention set forth above.

While the above description contains much specificity, this should notbe construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but asexemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments thereof. Manyother ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings ofthe various embodiments.

Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.

1. A protective vehicle cover, comprising: a flexible cover sheet forprotecting a vehicle and its components disposed rearward of thehandlebars, wherein said cover sheet is weather resistant, liesgenerally in a horizontal plane, and has minimal vertical surfacesproviding for low wind resistance; two front mounting points having areleasable connection to forward structures of said vehicle, whereinsaid two front mounting points are fastened to a bottom surface of saidcover sheet; and a rear mounting point for providing a releasableattachment to a rear structure of said vehicle.
 2. The protectivevehicle cover of claim 1, wherein said two front mounting points areselected from the group consisting of loop-shaped fasteners, pockets,and retention straps.
 3. The protective vehicle cover of claim 1,wherein said forward structures of said vehicle are hand grips.
 4. Theprotective vehicle cover of claim 1, wherein said rear structure of saidvehicle is selected from the group consisting of the frame, rear fender,seat, rear wheel, tail light assembly, and turn signal fixtures.
 5. Theprotective vehicle cover of claim 1, wherein said rear mounting pointcomprises a communicable attachment.
 6. The protective vehicle cover ofclaim 5, wherein said communicable attachment fastens a rear edge ofsaid cover sheet to said rear structure of said vehicle.
 7. Theprotective vehicle cover of claim 6, wherein said communicableattachment is selected from the group consisting of hook and loopfasteners, strap and buckle fasteners, tie-off straps, and hook straps.8. The protective vehicle cover of claim 1, wherein said cover sheetcomprises an irregular hexagonal shape.
 9. The protective vehicle coverof claim 8, wherein said cover sheet is symmetrical and comprises alinear front edge unequal in length and disposed parallel to a linearrear edge, two linear parallel side edges that are equal in length andperpendicular to said front edge and said rear edge, and two linearnon-parallel side edges that are equal in length.
 10. The protectivevehicle cover of claim 1, further comprising a cover module forprotecting vehicle components disposed forward of said handlebars. 11.The protective vehicle cover of claim 10, wherein a releasableattachment connects a rear edge of said cover module to a front edge ofsaid cover sheet.
 12. The protective vehicle cover of claim 10, whereinsaid cover module further comprises a plurality of attachment membersfor releasably fixing said cover module to said vehicle.
 13. Theprotective vehicle cover of claim 11, wherein both said cover sheet andsaid cover module are independently functional when not releasablyattached.
 14. The protective vehicle cover of claim 1, wherein saidcover sheet further comprises a top surface and a bottom surface with aperipheral edge there around, wherein said peripheral edge is folded tosaid bottom surface and fixed thereto by a fixation means thereby,forming a finished peripheral edge.
 15. The protective vehicle cover ofclaim 14, wherein said fixation means is selected from the groupconsisting of stitching, heat seal, and adhesive.
 16. The protectivevehicle cover of claim 1, further comprising an integrated storage pouchfor compact storage of said vehicle cover when not in use.
 17. Theprotective vehicle cover of claim 16, wherein said integrated storagepouch is disposed at the midpoint on a rear edge of said cover sheet.18. The protective vehicle cover of claim 1, wherein an air-circulatingspace is formed between said cover sheet and said vehicle when saidcover sheet is deployed.
 19. A protective vehicle cover, comprising: aflexible cover sheet of irregular hexagonal shape for protecting avehicle and its components disposed rearward of the handlebars, whereinsaid cover sheet is weather resistant, lies generally in a horizontalplane, and has minimal vertical surfaces providing for low windresistance, said cover sheet further comprising a symmetrical shape, alinear front edge unequal in length and disposed parallel to a linearrear edge, two linear parallel side edges that are equal in length andperpendicular to said front edge and said rear edge, and two linearnon-parallel side edges that are equal in length; two front mountingpoints having a releasable connection to forward structures of saidvehicle, wherein said two front mounting points are fastened to a bottomsurface of said cover sheet; and a rear mounting point for providing acommunicable attachment between said rear edge of said cover sheet and arear structure of said vehicle.
 20. A protective vehicle cover,comprising: a flexible cover sheet of irregular hexagonal shape forprotecting a vehicle and its components disposed rearward of thehandlebars, wherein said cover sheet is weather resistant, liesgenerally in a horizontal plane, and has minimal vertical surfacesproviding for low wind resistance, said cover sheet further comprising asymmetrical shape, a linear front edge unequal in length and disposedparallel to a linear rear edge, two linear parallel side edges that areequal in length and perpendicular to said front edge and said rear edge,and two linear non-parallel side edges that are equal in length; twofront mounting points for releasably receiving grip ends of saidhandlebars, wherein said two front mounting points are fastened to abottom surface of said cover sheet; a rear mounting point for providinga communicable attachment between said rear edge of said cover sheet anda rear structure of said vehicle; a cover module for protecting vehiclecomponents disposed forward of said handlebars wherein a releasableattachment connects a rear edge of said cover module to said front edgeof said cover sheet, said cover module further comprising attachmentmembers for releasably fixing said cover module to said vehicle; and anintegrated storage pouch for compact storage of said vehicle cover whennot in use, wherein said integrated storage pouch is disposed at themidpoint on said rear edge of said cover sheet.